Creating an Inclusive Hiring Strategy in Manufacturing
Creating an Inclusive Hiring Strategy in Manufacturing Creating an inclusive hiring strategy isn’t just nice to have; it’s important. Australian manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to attract and retain skilled workers across trades, operations, and management. But many are still missing out on skilled talent because of outdated recruitment methods that unintentionally are…
Creating an Inclusive Hiring Strategy in Manufacturing
Creating an inclusive hiring strategy isn’t just nice to have; it’s important. Australian manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to attract and retain skilled workers across trades, operations, and management. But many are still missing out on skilled talent because of outdated recruitment methods that unintentionally are excluding various candidates. If we build an inclusive approach from the ground up, employers can unlock access to a bigger talent pool, boost their productivity, and be more innovative, therefore improving retention and workplace culture. Here are some TRS tips on how to make inclusion a part of your recruitment strategy in manufacturing.
Why Inclusive Hiring Matters in Manufacturing
Manufacturing in Australia is progressing. Between digital transformation, an ageing workforce, and skills shortages across certain roles such as boilermakers, welders, and mechanical fitters, employers do need to think differently. Creating an inclusive hiring strategy helps businesses do the following:
- Attract skilled workers and improve retention by supporting workplace belonging
- Strengthen company culture and employer branding
- Comply with modern employment expectations and standards Workplaces that encompass this will perform better and position themselves as employers of choice in a more difficult labour market.
Review and Optimise Your Job Ads
Your job ad is one of the first impressions a candidate gets of your company. If you write it in a non inclusive manner or use technical jargon, you’re already limiting your applications.
TRS Job Ad Tips:
Focus on must have skills instead of nice to have skills that may deter qualified applicants.
Communicate your company’s commitment to diversity and show that you are inclusive in hiring.
Broaden Your Recruitment Channels
If you’re always fishing in the same pond, you’ll keep catching the same fish. To improve workforce diversity in manufacturing, it’s critical to broaden your sourcing strategy.
TRS Strategy tips:
- Advertise roles on many job boards and forums, including targeting women in trades, Indigenous workers, people with disabilities, and culturally diverse communities.
- Partner with your local TAFE, training institutions and facilities, and support networks and groups.
- Attend inclusive career expos and virtual hiring events online Expanding reach will naturally attract a more diverse talent pipeline for hard to fill blue and white-collar roles.
Standardise and Structure the Interview Process
Bias often creeps in during interviews, without intention. A considered and pre-thought approach levels keep the tone neutral.
TRS Inclusion tips:
- Use pre-defined interview questions for all applicants.
- Score your candidates based on their skills and experience. It will keep it fair and focused on what matters: “the candidate’s ability to do the job.”
Incorporate “Blind Resume” Screening
To reduce bias, many employers are now using “blind recruitment” practices. This involves removing names, dates of birth, and other identifiers from resumes before reviewing them. Tech tools like TogglHire and Pinpoint can automate the process, making it easier to shortlist based on capability. In industries such as transport, logistics, and defence, where diversity is growing, this step can have an impact.
Foster an Inclusive Workplace Culture
To retain a diverse workforce in manufacturing, the environment must feel safe, valued, and supported. TRS Tactics:
- Provide inclusive onboarding programs with available mentorship.
- Offer flexible work arrangements (where possible), especially for parents, carers, or mature-age workers.
- Create employee feedback to continuously improve culture and practices. Inclusive workplaces lead to stronger teams, better morale, and improved business performance.
Use Employer Branding to Support Inclusive Hiring
Candidates want to work for businesses that align with their values. Use your branding to showcase your commitment to inclusive hiring in manufacturing.
TRS Ideas:
- Share employee stories from diverse backgrounds on your channels
- Promote your community partnerships and workforce initiatives.
- Highlight employee mentorship, training, and upskilling opportunities internally. This attracts a wider range of applicants and strengthens your company’s reputation across the industry.
Inclusion is a Long Term Advantage
Creating an inclusive hiring strategy in manufacturing isn’t about meeting quotas; it’s about building a stronger, more capable workforce. With Australia’s manufacturing sector under pressure to adjust, now’s the time to rethink how you attract, engage, and support your teams. At TRS, we work closely with employers across manufacturing, transport, logistics, defence and warehousing to tailor recruitment strategies that are inclusive and effective. If you’re ready to futureproof your workforce, let’s chat.
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